Huskers Start Slow at SMU

Dallas - The Nebraska women's golf team got off to a slow start in the first round at the SMU/Dallas Athletic Club Invitational on Friday, settling for a 319 to sit in 15th after the first day of competition.

In a field filled with eight top 50 teams, No. 48 Baylor raced to a seven-stroke lead after the opening round with a 294 on the par-72, 6,257-yard layout at the Dallas Athletic Club. No. 18 LSU sits in second at 301, while No. 15 Oklahoma State is 11 strokes behind the Lady Bears at 305.

Senior Steffi Neisen and sophomore Morgan Smejkal led the Huskers with first-round scores of 79 to tie for 41st after the first 18 holes. Freshman Jordan Chael added an 80 to tie for 53rd, while sophomore Cassie Deeg rounded out NU's team score with an 81 to sit in 66th heading into Saturday's second round. Senior Katelyn Wright struggled with an 87 for her first round above a 76 in her last 15 competitive rounds.

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn of Kansas fired the only round better than par on the day in Dallas with a one-under 71. Five other golfers produced rounds of even-par 72.

The Huskers return to action Saturday morning for the second round. Live scoring will be available at GolfStat.com.